Again, Cohen

Van Dyck bearded, ever sleekly habited, groomed with care, Walter L. Cohen, Negro Customs Comptroller and Sheriff of New Orleans, has long been a well rewarded servitor of the Republican party in Louisiana and a thorn in the flesh of Louisiana senators.

Twice (TIME, May 28, 1923, Mar. 3, 1924) Presidents Harding or Coolidge granted him interim appointments (appointments good till Congress reconvenes). Twice returning senators booted Mr. Cohen out of office. About a year ago the Senate grudgingly confirmed him as Sheriff and Comptroller of New Orleans.

Now somebody has decided to "get" Mr. Cohen "good". Last week a Federal Grand Jury indicted him on charges that he is involved in "a gigantic rum conspiracy". The charge specifies a single instance in which 4,250 cases of rum were allegedly smuggled in from Havana with Mr. Cohen's connivance.

Dapper Comptroller Cohen declared himself "as surprised as any person in New Orleans." He and 40 other alleged conspirators furnished bail of $5,000 each without hesitancy.